Conveyer



1943- E. P. BULLARD, 3D 2,328,050

CONVEYER Filed April 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FDW RD P BULLARDJF AT TO EY '5 P. BULLARD, 3D

CONVEYER Filed April 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ED WARD P-BULLLIRZZE ATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1943.

E. P. B'ULLARD, 3p

CQNVEYER Filed April 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR EDWARD FBL/LL/IRJZZZZ BY NEY l 'atented Aug. 31, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CONVEYER Edward P. Bollard III, Fairflcld, Conn., assignor to The Ballard Company, a corporation of Connecticut Application April 20, 1940, Serial No; 330,687

23 Claims.

' illustrated and described in connection with an electro-cleaning and plating process.

A cleaning and plating process usually includes subjecting the work to a plurality of cleaning steps of relatively short time duration, a relatively long plating step, and finally one or more rinsing steps of short time duration.

An object of this invention is to provide one conveyer for handling work during a plurality of steps of relatively short time duration and another conveyer conjointly operable with the first for handling the workduring at least one step of substantially long time duration.

Other objects of the invention'include, the provision of apparatus including a plurality of conveyers each having a separate cycle of operation and intercontrol means for actuating one of the conveyers in response to the operation of another; the provision oi? apparatus including a pluraiity of conveyers having separate cycles of operation so inter-controlled that the cycle of operation of one may be changed independently of the cycle of operation of another, without disturbing the phase relation between the two; the provision of apparatus including a plurality of conveyers having separate cycles of operation, and in which work is adapted to be transferred from one to the other and vice versa by the normal operation of one of the conveyers; the provision of apparatus including an intermittently operable conveyer that is adapted to be controlled by a, continuously operable conveyer; the provision of apparatus including an intermittently operable conveyer that is adapted to control the intermittent operation of another conveyer; and the method of transferring work between twoconveyers having different cycles of operation while maintaining said cycles in definite phase relation.

The above, as well as other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and the ac-- companying drawings, in which: 1

Figure 1 is an elevational view of two conveyers embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the conveyers of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevational view taken substantially along line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Figures 4 and 5 are electrical circuit diagrams for several embodiments of the controls for the conveyers shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown as applied to apparatus including a station-type conveyer Cs having an intermit tently operable cycle whereby its work-supporting portion may be raised, indexed and lowered to position work pieces W successively within tanks T forming stations numbered I to l0, l2

and I3 about the conveyer; and another conveniently substituted for one of the tanks T at one station of the conveyer Cs- A plurality of work-supporting racks R are adapted to be readily engaged by and removed from the rack-supporting portions of either of the conveyers Cs and 01:. The work W on the racks R is adapted to be subjected to treat ments of. relatively short time duration at each of the stations I to It] inclusive. The work is adapted to be transferred from the conveyer Cs at its station H to the endless chain of the conveyer C}: at a point X. The chain of the conveyer Cp draws the racks R throughout its closed path at a relatively slow speed, and returns each rack R to the point X thereby subjecting the work to a treatment of relatively long time duration. As a rack R again reaches the point X after it has passed throughout the closed path of conveyer Cp, it is picked up by the conveyer CS, moved to station l2, and simultaneously, another rack R from station [0 is deposited on the endless chain of the conveyer Cp to take the place of the one just removed. Accordingly, by varying the number of racks and their spacing on the endless chain of the conveyer 013, as well as the speed at which said conveyer is operated, the time duration of the treatment the work is subjected to while it is mounted on the conveyer Cp may be changed within limits without changing the cycle of operation of the conveyer Cs- Additionally, the cycle of operation of the conveyer Cs may be varied within limits without changing the cycle of the con veyer Co by varying the spacing of the racks R on the conveyer Cp.

The conveyer Cs is substantially the same as that disclosed in Patent 2,129,463, grantedSeptember 6, 1938, to E. P. Bullard III. It comprises a vertically disposed column within which a rotatable plunger P (Fig. 2) is adapted to be moved vertically upwardly by fluid under pressure that is drawn from a reservoir also included within the column 20. A work-supporting frame including a plurality of radiallydisposed arms 2| is mounted on the upper end of the plunger P. Hangers 22 are located near the outer ends of arms 2| and support work bars 23 which carry racks R.

A motor 24 is mounted on the side of the column 20 and is coupled to a pump 25 that withdraws fluid from the reservoir within the column 20 through a pipe 26 and forces the fluid under pressure through a pipe 21 to a chamber beneath the vertically reciprocable plunger P. As the plunger rises, and arrives at a predetermined elevation, its lower end opens a port 28 admitting the fluid under pressure to a pressure-operated switch 29 that closes the circuit of an indexin motor 30.

The indexing mechanism comprises a rotatable crank 3| having two rollers 32 (Fig. 2,) thereon. The rollers -32 are adapted successively to cooperate with slots 33 formed between a plurality of plates 34 that are mounted on a disc 35 (Fig. 1).

The disc 35 is fixed against vertical movement but splined to the vertically reciprocable plunger P. The number of plates 34 is equal to the number of treatment stations to which the work is subjected. In the embodiment disclosed, fourteen plates 34 are employed. As the ,crank 3| rotates through a half revolution, the work-sup,-

porting arms 2| are indexed together with the plunger P through of a revolution. Upon completion of the indexing movement, a dog 36 on a cam plate 31 fixed to theshaft on which crank 3| is mounted trips a normally closed limit switch that stops both motors 24 and 30. When motor 24 is stopped, the plunger P and work-supporting arms 2| gravitate to their lower position where they encounter a shock absorbing device, all as more fully described in Patent 2,129,463.

The tanks T are located in a circle, the radius of which is substantially equal to the length of arms 2|. Tanks T are located at stations I to II] inclusive, I2 and I3 (Fig. 2), each containing liquids employed in the treatment of the Work. Station M is the work-loading station, and a portion of the closed path of conveyer Cp occupies station Intermittent closing of the circuit of motor 24 will initiate the operation of the conveyer C5 to cause it to raise the work W out of one tank and to lower ing tank.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the conveyer C is shown as applied to a plating tank Tp. A series of insulated brackets 4a are -mounted on the top edge of tank Tp for supporting a current carrying bar 4| from which numerous anodes 42 are suspended.

A pair of uprights 43 on the outside of tank Tp are adapted to support a beam 44 that extends it into the next succeed-' supported in a common horizontal plane. The

sprocket 41 is 'fixed to a vertical shaft 49 that is journaled in a bearing 50 mounted on the under side of beam 44. The sprocket 48 is fixed to a shaft 5| that is driven from a motor 52 through a variable-speed transmission 53. The motor 52 and transmission 53 are supported on the top of the beam 45. An endless chain 54 is in driving engagement with the sprockets 41 and and in the preferred embodiment of the invention is adapted to be driven at any one of a plurality of speeds by adjusting the variable-speed transmission 53.

JA plurality of insulated brackets 55 extend downwardly from the beam 45 and provide supports 56 (Fig. 3) for track elements 51 that extend between the sprockets 41 and 48 on each side thereof, and upon which the chain 54 is adapted to rest. A current-carrying rail 58 is adapted to be connected to the outside of the supports 56 forming a closed path entirely surrounding the chain 54 and about which the work-supporting racks R are adapted to be moved. The elevation of the rail 58 is such that a rack R supported thereon clears the bar 23 of the conveyer Cs when the latter is in its lowest position. See Fig. 1.

The racks R are adapted readily to be connected to, and disconnected from the rack-supporting portions of both of theconveyers C, and Op. The racks R may take any desired form, and it is apparent that a wide choice of constructions may be employed. The form of rack R shown in the accompanying drawings is merely an example of one construction that will fulfill the requirements of the apparatus.

Referring to Fig. 3, a rack R. comprise an irregularly shaped member 59 having two spaced hook portions 60 and 6|. The hook portion 6| is adapted to cooperate with the work bars 23 on the conveyer Cs. The hook portion 60 is adapted to cooperate with, and slide along the rail 58. It is transversely over the top of the tank. A longi-- tudinally extending beam 45 is connected to the beam 44 midway of the ends of the latter, and its end opposite to that which is connected to beam 44 is supported by an additional upright 46. The beams'44 and 45 are conveyer Cp and its driving A pair of sprockets 41 and mechanism.

48 are adapted to be provided with an extension 63 that passes between adjacent extended pintle pins 64 of the chain 54. The work W is suspended from the member 59 so that it will clear the supports 56 and rail 58 when the conveyor Cs lifts the work and member 59 from the chain 54 of conveyer C This limitation on the construction of the member 59 provides a substantial turning moment tending to cause the hook portion 60 to seize and bind the rail 58. Antifriction -means may be provided between the cooperating surfaces of the hook 60 and the rail 58, such for example as the roller 65 journaled within a relieved portion of the hook 6|].

Each of the racks R is provided with a 111g as that is adapted to trip a switch 61 to close the circuit of the motor 24 whenever a rack arrives at the transfer point X after passing around the closed path 58.

The preferred method of operating the two conveyers will be described in connection with the continuous operation of conveyer Cp and a hypothetical set of facts. Assume that the work W is to be treated for 1 /2 minutes in each of the tanks T; the time for raising, indexing and lowering the racks R by the conveyer Cs requires A a minute; and the plating time, or the time the 7 work is to remain in the tank T1) is 26 minutes.

adapted to support the The transmission 53 is adjusted to drive the chain 54 at a speed whereby a rack R, placed on it at the point X, will be returned to that point in ,26 minutes. Thirteen racks R are substantially equally spaced about the chain 54 (two minutes apart in relation to time), and a rack and switches 12 and 80b line H.

R is likewise placed on each of the bars 23 at stations I to I inclusive of the conveyer CS. I

With the apparatusin the position shown in -Flgure 2, the conveyer Cs has just completed an operation in which a rack R, that has completed a cycle on the conveyer 09, has been transferred from point X to the tank T at station [-2. At the same time, conveyer Cs has also transferred a rack R from the tank T at station It to the point is evident that the intermittent operation .of the conveyer C. is controlled by the position of the racks R on the conveyer Cp, and that the .two conveyers Cs and 01) have separate cycles of operation that are so intercontrolled that neither can get out of phase with the other.

The ramifications of the apparatus may include changing the treatment time within the tanks T without affecting the plating time within the tank Tp and conversely, changing the plating time within tank T9 without changing the treating time within tanks T.

Referring to Figure 4, wherein an electrical control circuit is shown, switch line I2 is manually closed thereby shunting switch '1! line I0 switches M lines 1, l3 and I6 energizes the relay 14 line I 6, which closes normally-open switches 14a and 14b and opens normally-closed switclies 14c and 14a line I8. Closing the push-button switch 15 line 1 causes energization of relay 16 line 1 which in turn closes switches 16:; line 4 and switch 16b line 8. Closing switches 16a line 4 starts motor 24 and causes plunger P to rise. The circuit is maintained upon release of the push-button switch 15 line 1 by the closing of switch 15b line 8. With plunger P in its elevated position, pressure switch 29 line l3 closes whereupon the conveyer Cs may be indexed by closing the push-button switch 11 line l3. Closing switch 11 causes relay 18 line l3 to become energized which closes switches 189. line 4 of the index motor 30, and also closes switch 18b line M. This circuit is maintained upon release of push-button switch 11 line l3 since switch 18b line I4 is closed-the current passing through switch M line 1, switch 16b line 8, switch 14b line [8, switch 18b line l4, switch 29 line l3 and limit switch 19 line l2. Upon completion of the index, the dog 36 on cam plate 31 trips the limit switch 19 line 12, thereby opening the circuit for index motor without, however, disturbing the circuit for pump motor 24. Successive indexing of the conveyer Cs may be effected when desired by closing push-button switch 11 line I3. This indexing of the conveyer Cs independently of the pump motor 24 facilitates loading the conveyer Cs with empty racks for automatic operation.

When both ccnveyers are loaded with empty racks, and automatic operation is to begin, the switch 16 line I 2 remains closed, switches M lines 1, I3 and I6 are opened, and switches A lines 8 and i0 are closed. Closing switches A lines 8 and Ill, energizes relay 80 line I!) thereupon switches 803. line 4 areclosed and the plating Closing the conveyer motor 52 is started. As a rack R on the chain of the plating conveyer Cp arrives at the transfer point X, normally-open limit switch 61 line 9 is closed causing current to flow through the relay 16 line 1 thereby energizing it, whereupon switches 16a line 4 are closed starting the pump motor 24 and causing the plunger P of the station type conveyer C; to be elevated. Energization of relay 16 line 1 also closes holding switch 16:, line 8 so that upon the re-opening of limit switch 61 line 9, relay 16 line 1 remains energized. The circuit including switch 16 line 8 also includes normally-closed switch 14a line 18, normally-open pressure switch 29 line l3 and relay 18 line l3. When the plunger P reaches a predetermined elevation, pressure switch 29 line 13 is closed causing relay 18 line l3 to become energized whereupon switches 183 line 4 are closed and the index motor 30 causes indexing of the station-type conveyer. Upon completion of I the indexing, the dog 36 on the cam plate 31 opens normally-closed limitQswitch 19 line l2 thereby interrupting the circuit through relays 18 line I3 and 16 line 1 whereupon switches 18a and 15a line 4 open, stopping the index and pump motors 30 and 24. The plunger 01 the stationtype conveyer then descends and a new rack R is deposited on the chain 54 of the conveyer Cp. As the next succeeding rack R arrives at the point of removal from the plating chain, its lug 66 trips switch 61 line 9 closing it, thereby initiating another cycle of operation of the station-type conveyer Cs.

In another embodimentof the invention, the conveyer Cp stops when a rack R thereon arrives at the transfer point X, and simultaneously therewith, the conveyer Cs starts to operate. As the plunger P descends during the operation of conveyer Cs, a switch is actuated to re-start conveyer Cp.

Referring again to Figure 4, the diagram of which also covers the present embodiment, switch 10 line I2 is manually opened. Manual operation of the conveyer Cs is accomplished in the same manner as in the previously-described embodiment, With both conveyors loaded with empty racks, automatic operation is begun by closing switches A lines 8 and I0. With plunger P at its lowest position, normally open switch 1| line I0 will close completing the circuit through relay line In, whereupon switches 80a line 4 close, starting the plating conveyer motor 52. Energization of relay 8!: line I!) also closes switch 801, line H which maintains relay 80 energized after the re-opening of switch 1| line III, to thereby efiect continued operation of conveyer Cp. As a rack R on conveyer Cp arrives at the transfer point X, switches 61 and 12 lines 9 and II are simultaneously closed and opened respectively, whereupon the relay 80 becomes de-energized thus stopping conveyer Cp. At the same time, closing switch 61 line 9 energizes relay 16 line 1, closing switches 163. line 4 thus starting pump motor 24 to cause the plunger P to rise. Likewise, switch 16b line 8 is closed switches A and 16b line 8, normally closed switch 14d line l8, switch 29 line l3, relay 18 line I3 and switch 19 line l2. Energization of relay 18 line l3"closes switches 18a line 4 starting index motor 30. Upon completion of the indexing of conveyer Cl, the dog '36 on the cam ,plate 31 opens normally-closed limit switch 19 line l2 .whereupon motors 24 and 30 stop and the plunger P descends to deposit a new rack R on the: conveyer Cp. normally-open limit switch II .line l isclosed. Closing switch 1 I. line l0 re-energizes relay 80 line l0 thereby starting the motor 52 and reof the conveyer Cs is effected in a similar man- 20 ner to that described in connection with Figure 4, The conveyers Cp and C: are loaded with empty racks as previously described and the switches A lines 8 and H! are closed to initiate an automatic cycle of operation of the app-aratus by energizing the relay 8! line 8 for the timecycle controller. The controller is of conventional design in which means is provided for energizing two circuits at different time intervals. When the time-cycle controller closes 30 switch 8'5 line [0 the relay 80 line it becomes energized. Energization of relay 8d closes switch 80a. line 4 starting the plating conveyer- Cp, and closes switch 80b line II .to hold the circuit after switch 8h; line It re-opens. As a rack R on conveyer C arrives at the transfer point X, it opens a normally-closed limit switch 12 line H thereby de-energizing relay'llll line Ill and stopping the conveyer Cp. When the time-cycle controller closes switch 8lb line 9, relay 16 line 1 becomes energized, whereupon switches 160.

line 4 close, starting the pump motor 24. At the same time switch 16b line 8 closes thereby holding .the circuit for motor 24 after switch 8|b line 9 re-opens. As the plunger P rises,'it permits pressure switch 29 1ine.l3 to close thereby energizing relay I8 line-l3 through a circuit including switches A and 16 line 8, switch 141 line l8, pressure switch 29 line I3 and limit switch 19 line [2. Energization of relay 18 line l3 closes switches 18,. line 4 whereupon the index motor 30 is started. Upon completion of the index, the dog36 on the cam plate 31 opens limit switch 19 line l2 thereby stopping motors 30 and 24, whereupon the plunger P descends and deposits a new rack R on the conveyer Cp. After a predetermined time interval, the timecycle controller re-closes switch 8h. line Ill to restart another cycle of operation of the apparatus, Of course, an additional limit switch may be employed with a time-cycle controller having a single circuit for the conveyer Cs instead of the time-cycle controller described. The additional limit switch may be operated to re-start the conveyer Cp on the downward movement of the plunger P as described in connection with Figure 4.

In this last embodiment, the variable-speed transmission 53 must be adjusted to drive the chain 54 of the conveyer Cp fast'enough to deliver a rack R to the transfer point X before the time-cycle controller initiates the operation of the conveyer Cs.

Although the various features of the apparatus have been shown and described in detail to As the plunger nears its low position;

fully disclose several embodiments of this invention, it will be evident that numerous chan'ges may be made in such details, and certain features may be used without others, without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising in combination, two separate conveyers; separate means for driving each of said conveyers; work-supporting racks adapted to be transferredfrom each of said conveyers to the other; the construction and arrangement of said conveyers being such that said racks are transferred from each conveyer to the other in response to the operation of one of said conveyers; and means for maintaining the cycles of operation of said conveyers in definite phase relation including means rendered efi'ective by the normal operation of one of said conveyers for efiecting the normal operation of the other. a

2. Apparatus comprising in combination, two separate conveyers each of which is adapted to be'lntermittently advanced from one position to another; separate means for driving each of said conveyers; article-supporting racks adapted to be 5 transferred from each of said conveyers to the other; the construction and arrangement of said conveyers being such that said racks are transferred from each conveyer to the other in response to the intermittent advancement of one of said conveyers; and means for maintaining the cycles of operation of said conveyers in definite phase relation including means rendered effective byone of said conveyers for stopping only one of said conveyers.

3. Apparatus comprising in combination, a con I veyer including a work-supporting member adapted to be raised, indexed, and lowered; means for raising and indexing said member; another conveyer in cooperative position relative 40 to said first conveyer and including means forming an endless path about which work-supporting racks are adapted to be moved; means for moving said racks about said endless path; means for starting said rack-moving means; and means on said racks for controlling one of said conveyers when a rack arrives substantially at a common point between said conveyers.

4. Apparatus comprising in combination, a conveyer including a work-supporting member adapted to be raised, indexed, and lowered;

means for raising and indexing said member; another conveyer in cooperative position relative, to said first conveyer and including means forming an endless path about which work-supporting racks are adapted to be moved; means for starting said rack-moving means; means on said racks for starting the means for raising said member when said racks arrive at said cooperative position; means associated with said member for starting the indexing means when said member arrives at a pre-determined elevation; and means for stopping said raising .and indexing means after an indexing movement of said member has been completed.

5 5. Apparatus comprising in combination, a conveyer including a work-supporting member adapted to be raised, indexed, and lowered; means for raising and indexing said member; another conveyer in cooperative position relative to said first conveyer and including means forming an endless path about which work-supporting racks are adapted to be moved; means for moving said racks about said endless path; means for startingsaid rack-moving means; means on said racks for simultaneously stopping the rack-moving means when a rack arrives at a common point between said conveyers and for starting the means for raising said member; means associated with said member for starting the indexing means when said member arrives at a predetermined elevation; means for stopping said raising and indexing means after an indexing movement of said member has been completed; and means for re-starting said rack-moving means when said member arrives at a point in its descent. 6. Apparatus comprising in combination, a conveyer including a work-supporting member adapted to be raised, indexed, and lowered; means for raising and indexing said member; an other conveyer in cooperative position relative to said first conveyer and including means forming and endless path about which work-supporting racks are adapted to be moved; means for moving said racks about said endless path; a time-cycle controller including means for starting said rackmoving means; means on said racks for stopping said rack-moving means when a rack arrives at a common point between said conveyers; means within said time-cycle controller for starting the means for raising said member after a rack has.

been stopped at the common point between said conveyers; means associated with said member for starting the indexing means when said member arrives at a predeterminedelevation; and means for stopping said raising and indexing means after an indexing movement of said member has been completed.

'7. Apparatus comprising in combination, a treatment tank; a conveyer for moving articles about a closed path within said treatment tank; a plurality of work-supporting racks equally spaced about said conveyer; a plurality of tanks adjacent said treatment tank and arranged in such manner that at least a portion of said treat ment tank is in aligned relation with said plurality of tanks; and means for; simultaneously transferring work-supporting racks from said treatment tank to one of said tanks and from another of said tanks to said treatment tank.

8. Apparatus comprising in combination, two

I conveyer; separate means for driving each of said conveyers having different cycles of operation;

separate means for driving each of said conveyers; work-supporting racks adapted to be transferred from each of said conveyers to the other; and means for maintaining the cycles of operation of said conveyers in definite phase relation including means rendered effective by the normal operation of one of said conveyers for effecting the normal operation of the other.

9. Apparatus comprising in combination, two conveyers having different cycles of operation; work-supporting racks adapted to be transferred from each of said conveyers to the other; means for changing the cycles of either of said conveyers Without affecting the other; and means for maintaining the cycles of said conveyers in definite phase relation including means rendered effective by the normal operation of one of said conveyers for efiecting the normalcperation of the other.

10. Apparatus comprising in combination, two conveyers having separate cycles of operation; work-supporting racks adapted to be transferred from each of said conveyers to the other; separate sources of power for each of said conveyers; and means for maintaining the cycles of both of said conveyers in fixed phase relation including means associated with one of said power sources for rendering the other power source effective.

11. Apparatus comprising in combination, two

conveyers; work-supporting racks adapted to be transferred from each of said conveyers to the other; the construction and arrangement of said conveyers being such that upon successively indexing said station-type conveyer, said work-supporting racks are transferred from each of said conveyers to the other; and means for maintaining the operation of each of said conveyers in definite phase with respect to the other including.

means rendered effective by the normal operation of one of said conveyers for effecting the normal operation of the other.

13. Apparatus comprising in combination, a rotary station-type conveyer; an endless chaintype conveyer; separate means for driving each of said conveyers; work-supporting racks adapted to be transferred from each of said conveyers to the other; means for adjusting the cycle of operation of each of said conveyers independently of the other; and means for maintaining the operation of each of said conveyers in definite phase with respect to the other including means rendered effective by the normal operation of one of said conveyers for effecting the normal operation of the other.

14. Apparatus comprising in combination, a rotatable vertically reciprocable member; a plurality of circumferentially-disposed arms extending radially from said member; means for reciprocating, and for intermittently indexing said 5 member successively through a pre-determined number of degrees about its axis of rotation; an endless chain member mounted in cooperative position relative to said reciprocable member; separate means for driving said endless chain member; a plurality of racks; the construction and arrangement of said conveyers being such that the racks are adapted to be transferred from said arms into cooperative position relatively to said endless chain member and from said cooperative position relative to said chain member to the arms of said reciprocable member in response to the operation of one of said members; and means for maintaining the operation of said conveyers in definite phase relation.

15. Apparatus comprising in combination, a rotatable Vertically reciprocable member; a pinrality of circumierentially-disposed arms extending radially from said member; means for reciprocating, and for intermittently indexing said member through a pre-determined number of degrees about its axis of rotation; an endless chain member mounted in cooperative position relative to said reciprocable member; separate means for continuously driving said endless chain member; and a plurality of racks; said conveyers being constructed and arranged. such that said racks are transferred from said arms into cooperative position relatively to said endless chain member and from said cooperative position relatively to said chain member to the arms of said reciproarms;

I rail for initiating porting racks I one of said members, and, incident to the operation of the other member.

16. Apparatus comprising in combination a rotary station-type conveyer including a plurality of circumferentially-disposed radially-extending arms; cooperative position relatively to said station-type conveyer; a plurality of work-supporting racks adapted to be readily mounted on and removed from supporting means on each of said conveyers; and means ior raising,.indexing and lowering the arms of said station-type conveyer to present successive arms to the cooperative position between said conveyers, whereby said work-supporting racks are transferred from each of said conveyers to the other.

17. Apparatus comprising in combination, a rotary station-type conveyer including a plurality of circumferentially-disposed' radially-extending an endless chain-type conveyer located in cooperative position relatively to said stationtype conveyer; a guide rail adjacent said endless chain-type conveyer; a plurality of work-supporting racks removably mounted on said rail and adapted to be moved about said rail by the endless chain-type conveyer; a plurality of said racks r'emovably mounted on said station-type conveyer; means for actuating said station-type conveyer to present successive arms to the cooperative position between said conveyers, whereby said work-supporting racks are transferred from each of said conveyers to the other; and means actuated by said racks during their travel about said the operation of said stationtype conveyer.

18. Apparatus comprising in combination, a conveyer including rack-supporting means adapted to be intermittently indexed to a plurality of stations; another conveyer in cooperating position relative to said intermittently indexed conveyer including rack-supporting means associated with rack-conveying means that is adapted to be con tinuously moved about an endless path; a plurality of work-supporting racks adapted readily to be connected to and disconnected from the rack-supporting means of both said conveyers, certain of said racks being located at predetermined intervals about the closed path of said continuously movable conveyer and engageable by the rack-supporting means of said intermittently indexed conveyer; and means for raising and lowering said indexical conveyer between successive indexing movements whereby the work-supare transferred from one of said. conveyers to the other in response to the operation of one oi said conveyers.

19. Apparatus comprising in combination, a conveyer adapted to be indexed from station to station including a plurality of circumferentiallydisposed radially-extending rack-supporting means; another conveyer including a rack-supporting member and a rack-conveying means therefor adapted to be moved about an endless path, a portion of which path is located in a coan endless chain-typ conveyer located in operating position relative to said indexical conveyer; cycle-operating means for raising, indexing and lowering said rack-supporting means to present them successively to said cooperating position; a plurality of work-supporting racks adapted to be readily engaged by and disengaged from both said rack-supporting means and racksupporting member; and means on said worksupporting racks for starting said cycle-operating means when a work-supporting rack on said member arrives at said cooperating position, whereby said racks are transferred from each of said conveyers to the other.

20. Conveying apparatus comprising in combination, means including a central column to which a plurality of circumferentially-disposed radial arms are attached; intermittent cycle-ppendently crating means for raising, indexing and lowering said column to move said arms to a plurality of successive stations;-an endless chain; continuous cycle-operating means for driving said chain; work-supporting'me'ans adapted to be transferred from said radial arms to means associated with said chain and vice versa; inter-control means for actuating said intermittent cycle-operating means in timed relation with the actuation of said continuous cycle-operating means; and means for varying either the intermittent or continuous cycle-operating meansindependently of the other.

21. Apparatus comprising in combination, two conveyers having separate cycles of operation; separate means for driving each'of said conveyers; and work-supporting racks adapted to be transferred from each of said conveyers to the other, the time of said transfer being controlled by the operation of one of saidconveyers and incident to the operation of the other conveyer.

22. Apparatus comprising in combination, a conveyer adapted intermittently to raise, index and lower work to move it to a plurality of stations; another conveyer including an endless chain adapted to be moved about a closed path; means for driving each of said conveyers indeof the other; and work-supporting racks adapted to be transferred from each of said conveyers to the other, said transfer-being controlled bythe operation of said endless chain conveyer andfincident to the operation of said intermittently operable conveyer.

23. Apparatus comprising in combination, means within which treatments may be performed; a conveyer for moving articles about a closed path within said treatment means; a plurality of work-supporting racks equally spaced about said conveyer; a plurality of means adjacent said treatment means and arranged in such manner that at least a portion of said treatment means is in aligned relation with said plurality of means; and means for simultaneously transferringwork-supporting racks from said treatment means to one of said plurality of means and from another of said plurality of means to said treatment means.

- EDWARD P. BULLARD .III. 

